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All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things
Fifteen years ago, Robert Fulghum published a simple credo–a credo that became the phenomenal #1 New York Times bestseller All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Now, seven million copies later, Fulghum returns to the book that was embraced around the world. He has written a new preface and twenty-five essays, which add even more potency to a common, though n...more
Hardcover, 240 pages
Published
September 30th 2003
by Ballantine Books
(first published 1986)
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When I read this book years ago, my first thought was that it would make an excellent Christmas gift for anyone who I couldn't figure out what else to get. The simple philosophy of living that it promotes and the author's easy going style of prose would elicit a smile from a stone. I can't quite say that it changed my life, but I was certainly charmed by this book. It also taught me a lesson in the money making potential of publishing because I happened to work for Ballantine at the time and ...more
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The only people who learned all they needed to know in kindergarten are the people who died when they were six. This stupid book is as facile as its title.
Malbadeen
rated it
·
review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
hippies & cultivated garden haters
Shelves:
read-by-virtue-of-proximity
the lecture series that accompanies this book can be called: how I will display my self actualization to judge your lawn care habits.
I don't remember much about this book except the over all sense that the author was pretty pleased with himself. I remember one part where he talked about his carefree acceptance of natures impression on his yard by explaining how silly his neighbor was to rake his leaves and mow the lawn.
I didn't do a ton of gardening at the time (nor do I now) but I ...more
I don't remember much about this book except the over all sense that the author was pretty pleased with himself. I remember one part where he talked about his carefree acceptance of natures impression on his yard by explaining how silly his neighbor was to rake his leaves and mow the lawn.
I didn't do a ton of gardening at the time (nor do I now) but I ...more
A few days ago, I ran across this book on my bookshelf. It had been sitting on one shelf or another, moving with me from place to place for about a decade. So I finally cracked it open. Two days later I'm wondering what exactly it was I read. It's a collection of stories, written almost like journal entries. Some that uncover wisdom, some that I didn't really get any deeper meaning from.
The best part of the book, and my favorite quote from it, is within the first few pages:
...more
The best part of the book, and my favorite quote from it, is within the first few pages:
...more
This is a veiled swipe at anyone who has bothered to actually continue learning since age five. It’s another brick in the wall of pop culture that makes people feel good about the fact that they are stupid motherfuckers who have never worked hard to develop their minds. What they are saying is, “It’s OK to be quasi-literate; everyone else is just like you.” Everyone except the adults sitting around the dinner table of life. I’ll admit that I’m sort of a dumb shit but it’s not from lack of tryin...more
I am not sure this book is important to me. But I will tell you this - one of the most delightful things I had read in a long time, and a thing I have tried to memorize, is Fulghum's wonderful list:
"Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies ...more
"Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies ...more
I can remember when I read my first book by Robert Fulghum: it was by mere chance that I fell across the hardcover copy at a library book sale with the simple title of "Uh-Oh". His stories were just so uniquely different, more like pearls of wisdom from a scatterbrained grandfather than anything. It was a refreshing view on life, and was a comforting presence last summer during an unpleasant week of camp (Perfect Dark: Initial Vector also helped alleviate the heat and unpleasantness du...more
don't hit people... gotta remember that :D
Mr. Z
rated it
·
review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Readers looking for an intelligent laugh
Recommended to Mr. Z by:
I came across it at the library
"Pieces of sanity are found washed ashore on all kinds of beaches these days. And skepticism and realism are not the same as cynicism and pessimism."
Robert Fulghum definitely sees life from a different perspective. And I do mean different!
I mean, how else can you explain how hard he tries to understand things like the difference between flowers and weeds? Who else could figure out what Ty Cobb's career batting average has to do with finding peace of mind? And, ...more
Robert Fulghum definitely sees life from a different perspective. And I do mean different!
I mean, how else can you explain how hard he tries to understand things like the difference between flowers and weeds? Who else could figure out what Ty Cobb's career batting average has to do with finding peace of mind? And, ...more
I have to say this book has not taught me a lot but rather it has opened my eyes to things I had somewhat already noticed. But I MUST thank Queenelle for recommending this book. It was a fun yet thoughtful read. While reading, i have come to realize that my ideas about simplicity being the best form of happiness are headed in the right direction. I rather enjoyed how the author showed his wit and simplicity through his credo. He spoke of, "Warm cookies and cold milk" and how we should,...more
Pretty much the BEST book I've ever read. I love the humor, but it also tells the truth, in a quirky sort of way. I really liked the insight that you got through out the whole book. Mr. Fulghum reminds me a lot of, well, ME. I thought it was stunning.
Dozens of 2 and 3-page "chapters" add up to witty slants on an ample variety of life's ordinary "stuff" - subjects the average person might never have thought to look at in an atypical way. It was a bit like reading Andy Rooney's rhetorical observances.
Prior to reading the book, I skimmed some reviews - some good, some not so good. Fulghum wasn't conducting class. He didn't intend for this to be a scholarly work. I recognized that charmingly simple can easily b...more
Prior to reading the book, I skimmed some reviews - some good, some not so good. Fulghum wasn't conducting class. He didn't intend for this to be a scholarly work. I recognized that charmingly simple can easily b...more
It's a cute read, kind of like sitting down with your grandpa and hearing his stories. I liked the easy reading and basic style of each chapter being short and, pretty much, one quick little story.
I do have to say though, my fav. part of the book were the rules he learned in kindergarten (too true! all the good stuff is in there!) and, the rules he said are posted up near his desk:
Official Storyteller's License:
I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge.
That...more
I do have to say though, my fav. part of the book were the rules he learned in kindergarten (too true! all the good stuff is in there!) and, the rules he said are posted up near his desk:
Official Storyteller's License:
I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge.
That...more
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten was Fulghum's first collection of essays. I liked his style then, and still do. His writing reminds me of Mayberry...it evokes a sort of down-home feeling that brings to mind warm apple pie cooling on an open window sill, children playing on lazy summer afternoons, and neighborly conversations over backyard fences. Fulghum does a nice job of exploring simple things from a profound and thoughtful perspective to gently guide the reader to wisdom....more
I got a calendar with many good quotes from this but never got to read the book.
Alice's robes were seasonal. She hadn't exactly planned
it that way, but that's how it evolved. In winter there was a long,
warm, deep purple terry-cloth robe. In spring she changed to a new
blue-and-white cotton kimono. In summer there was a white chenille
bathrobe with a pattern on it, and in the fall she wore a cotton robe her
husband had bought her as a surprise gift. Th...more
Alice's robes were seasonal. She hadn't exactly planned
it that way, but that's how it evolved. In winter there was a long,
warm, deep purple terry-cloth robe. In spring she changed to a new
blue-and-white cotton kimono. In summer there was a white chenille
bathrobe with a pattern on it, and in the fall she wore a cotton robe her
husband had bought her as a surprise gift. Th...more
I cannot take credit for this observation, but it has to be said that the title of this book applies only to those who die very young. An accurate subtitle would be "Pablum for Simpletons".
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten is not what I anticipated or expected, but it was an interesting and quick read. I really like how Fulghum tried to connect mundane and simplistic life situations to greater meaning. It really makes you think twice about why we are really here and what we can do to enhance our lives.
One of my favorite quotes:
"I recall an old Sufi story of a good man who was granted one wish by God. The man said he would like to go...more
One of my favorite quotes:
"I recall an old Sufi story of a good man who was granted one wish by God. The man said he would like to go...more
I find it funny that so many people who reviewed this book made comments about the title. Why on earth does the title really matter? I know I have read hundreds of books with odd titles, but I did not base my review on it.
This book was easy to read - I read it in one rainy afternoon. I did not pick this book up to find the answers of life - I read it because it seemed light and fun - which it was.
I feel the book is very cool - hundreds of times I have thought random, m...more
This book was easy to read - I read it in one rainy afternoon. I did not pick this book up to find the answers of life - I read it because it seemed light and fun - which it was.
I feel the book is very cool - hundreds of times I have thought random, m...more
Robery Fulghum’s iconic bestseller about the simple acts of everyday childhood and beyond were turned into this memorable little gem. It has become one of my favorite books, not because it is the literary genius of a lifetime, but because his simple idea could become such a simple book that had the potential to touch so many people. I read it for the laugh, the moment where he ties the memory of a Styrofoam cup plant to the cycle of life is simple brilliance. Although it is not the self he...more
I've found reading adult non-fiction books to be a tedious read because it involves many facts. I finally gave up on one that I've had for almost a month because telling me every detail history of her relatives just got too much and it looked like she wasn't going to let up! But this book had nothing tedious about it. It had me chuckling through the entire book. It was sooooo easy to turn from one page to the next and time just flew by. I would have been disappointed that it ended but Mr. F...more
This is one of the most meaningful books I've read in my lifetime, up there with: Are You The One For Me, Re-Inventing Your Life, Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon, or The Road Less-Traveled. Robert Fulghum is and has been many things in his life from a reverend to a bartender to a Salvation Army bell-ringer which, I suppose, makes him the ideal philosopher, and at that he excels.
This book, and those that follow it from him, is a collection of anecdotes and stories from his life and exper...more
This book, and those that follow it from him, is a collection of anecdotes and stories from his life and exper...more
How simple...how true. Life can be better for all of us if these wonderful guidelines were part of our everyday thinking. I think this book should be sent to every legislator in Washington...or better to EVERY legislator (and politician) everywhere. Perhaps they could get a clue about how to treat all of us out here paying the taxes, doing the right things for others and desperately trying to find our AMERICA of old. Read this and 'feel' exactly what is missing in our society today...you will sm...more
It has been 20 years since I first read this book. I wanted to re-read it to see if I felt any different about certain views. Yes, I do feel different but better about things I couldn't see at 20. I loved the section about the crayons and world peace. How true that if everyone of us could take time to do something small of enjoyment that it just might bring peace. I think that the part about naps and blankets are important also. Okay so before I get all mushy just take time to re-read one book ...more
I’ve been chewing on this book for a month. Trying to read and absorb it gradually; and never wanting it to end. Yes, I was hooked.
Robert Fulghum wrote his journal-type stories in a very honest, child-like manner that it will capture you both in wonder and profound realization. It is amazing to know how our everyday life may be improved if we but apply things we already learned as a child. Life can be more meaningful, indeed, if we just stop worrying a lot and enjoy the sim...more
I don't think this book was written for the purpose of impressing anyone. Sometimes you need it, sometimes you don't. Sometimes I think it's full of shit, sometimes I am amazed at how simple and true everything is.
Sometimes I just need to take it down from the bookshelf, browse a few pages, and be reminded of the very simple things:
- Put things back where you found them.
- Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
- Flush.
- When you go out into the world, ...more
Sometimes I just need to take it down from the bookshelf, browse a few pages, and be reminded of the very simple things:
- Put things back where you found them.
- Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
- Flush.
- When you go out into the world, ...more
I think this is the kind of inexplicable book that when comes to the reader at the right moment rings deeply profound and ultimately spiritual despite it's simple and disjointed construction. While I loved this book enough to usurp (alright steal!!) this book from my Father's bookshelf as a teenager and read it hanging in trees in college there are certainly times when it doesn't do much of anything for me. But even when I feel like it's a bit overhyped I can't imagine ever removing it from it'...more
I found this book kinda choppy and without direction. After seeing the wall posters countless times in offices and classrooms, the expectation was that the book would build upon these basic lessons. Instead, it was a bunch of anecdotes about the author's life that didn't feel very cohesive. In one chapter he's talking about his grandfather's love of baseball and the very next chapter he is wondering what it would be like to have a grandfather, as he never knew either of his. Huh?
Maybe I ju...more
Maybe I ju...more
Robert Fulghum takes the quote "the simple things in life" to a whole new meaning as he writes a quirky autobiography about the things he's learned and picked up on from the mundane tasks he's done throughout his life.
As a minister, you would think Fulghum's book would be boring as common stereotype of a minister's life isn't very "exciting." But he begins with a credo of his life which changes from times to time. He applies by the kindergarten rules to "tak...more
As a minister, you would think Fulghum's book would be boring as common stereotype of a minister's life isn't very "exciting." But he begins with a credo of his life which changes from times to time. He applies by the kindergarten rules to "tak...more
There were two or three chapters of this quick read that I enjoyed and found deep meaning within but the book as a whole did not flow as well and his style of writing was different than I'm used to reading.
One of my favorite parts dealt with "hide and seek" a favorite childhood game. When's the last time you played? Occasionally there was one person that no one could ever find. True to life, there are people we know that never let us "find" them. They keep things...more
One of my favorite parts dealt with "hide and seek" a favorite childhood game. When's the last time you played? Occasionally there was one person that no one could ever find. True to life, there are people we know that never let us "find" them. They keep things...more
There was one tale in here about a Mermaid that was influential in my life at the time. Other than that, sometimes the simplest of logic regarding human relations and ambitions is the only sort that holds true when all the coverings and the distractions in our mind and in our lives are pulled away to reveal something naked and inherent, raw but beautiful. That's what i remember finding inside the pages of this book. Albeit I was only 17 at the time I read it. And now I've found the story I m...more
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Robert Fulghum (born June 4, 1937) is an American author, primarily of short essays.
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